As we've reached the second month of the NBA season, there have been a number of impressive teams, headlined by the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference and the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference.
Likewise, players have started to stamp themselves as frontrunners for some of the NBA's awards. Let's look at this week's Defensive Player of the Year rankings.
No. 5: Bam Adebayo
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Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 1; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 15; Games won - 9; Games lost - 6
Last Week: PPG - 17.5, APG - 2.5, RPG - 7.5
Overall: PPG - 19.1, APG - 2.8, RPG - 10.5
Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 87.5%
Overall: FG% - 50.7%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 82.1%
When the Miami Heat are at their best, big man Bam Adebayo usually plays a key role. The versatile forward has continued to be a popular name when it comes to the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, and Adebayo finds his name on this list again this week.
Adebayo played in only two games last week, as he sat out one matchup to rest. In those two games, Adebayo averaged 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
No. 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 17; Games won - 10; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 33.3, APG - 5.0, RPG - 16.0
Overall: PPG - 26.9, APG - 6.0, RPG - 11.9
Last Week: FG% - 58.2%, 3P% - 36.4%, FT% - 71.1%
Overall: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 27.6%, FT% - 68.6%
Injuries hampered the Milwaukee Bucks throughout the opening month, but superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo did everything in his power to carry the load. As a number of teammates returned, the Bucks reeled off a four-game winning streak heading into Wednesday's home game with the Detroit Pistons.
In his last week of play, Giannis averaged 33.3 points, 16.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.7 blocks per game and checks in at fourth overall on this week's power rankings.
No. 3: Draymond Green
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 16; Games won - 14; Games lost - 2
Last Week: PPG - 6.3, APG - 10.0, RPG - 7.3
Overall: PPG - 7.8, APG - 7.6, RPG - 7.9
Last Week: FG% - 66.7%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - 100%
Overall: FG% - 55.6%, 3P% - 35.3%, FT% - 55.9%
The Golden State Warriors (15-2 before hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night) have emerged as a serious championship contender, and veteran forward Draymond Green has been a pivotal piece of that success. As the Warriors stack up wins, Green continues to thrive with his play on both ends.
In his last week of play, Green averaged 6.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game. His play on defense has been a major reason the Warriors have had so much success. After making his debut at fifth last week, Draymond Green has climbed to third in this week's power rankings.
No. 2 Anthony Davis
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 19; Games won - 9; Games lost - 10
Last Week: PPG - 24.8, APG - 3.3, RPG - 7.8
Overall: PPG - 24.3, APG - 3.1, RPG - 10.3
Last Week: FG% - 59.4%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 82.1%
Overall: FG% - 51.7%, 3P% - 18.9%, FT% - 74.0%
Although the Los Angeles Lakers (9-10 entering Wednesday's game at the Indiana Pacers) continue to be inconsistent, forward Anthony Davis continues to shine. Davis has been one of the most consistent Lakers, averaging 24.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game while not missing a game this season.
In his last week Davis averaged 24.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. A four-time member of the All-Defensive Team, Davis is a force on each end.
No. 1: Rudy Gobert
Previous week’s NBA DPOY Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 17; Games won - 11; Games lost - 6
Last Week: PPG - 16.7, APG - 1.0, RPG - 14.0
Overall: PPG - 15.7, APG - 0.8, RPG - 14.9
Last Week: FG% - 72.4%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 61.5%
Overall: FG% - 73.3%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - 67.6%
The Utah Jazz (11-6, playing at the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night) are third in the Western Conference, and big man Rudy Gobert has consistently had a major impact on both sides of the ball. After winning the Defensive Player of the Year award last year for the third time, Gobert has long been established as one of the league's top defensive forces.
In his last week of play, Gobert averaged 16.7 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. After dropping to second overall on the Defensive Player of the Year power rankings last week, Gobert is back on top of the list.
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